my jaw was on the floor w/ season 2 ep 5 of INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE | BE KIND, RE(CAP) REVIEW

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[@user-zo3cb4ce5t]

Assad pulled off the incredible achievement of standing out in a cast of top-tier actors all bringing their A game. He scared the hell out of me this episode, and Armand's inner miasma of resentment, needle-sharp fury, grief, disgust and weary devotion were all so expertly communicated. I need season 3 like I need my rent paid--TODAY.

[@yourvalentine3726]

I think Armand takes the memories of every time he has attempted suicide. I believe the trigger is always Claudia since he said in the 1st episode of the season to Claudia " As long as you are alive I wouldn't taste the sun" but now she is no longer there he is constantly attempting. Maybe the memory deletion was asked for in the beginning and it became a constant blanket Armand turns to idk just throwing stuff to the wall

[@AnxietyRat]

Yeah, I agree that I could totally see it as something Louis potentially asked for in the very beginning... But eventually Armand would just do it automatically everytime.... But I could also see a situation where Louis didn't ask for it in the beginning in Armand was just doing it to keep the boat sailing smoothly. It would also be in character for the desperate gremlin to do that, IMO.

[@tsheporabekane4172]

Desperation for love is the theme for the entire series, everyone is longing to be loved in this series, lol ​@@AnxietyRat

[@AnxietyRat]

@@tsheporabekane4172 100%!

[@jijgigijiwapo]

Oooh! Yes!

[@zani4876]

Oh. Damn..didn't consider that theory. That's so dark. But after ep 5 I wouldn't put anything past Armand. Need Louis to get a good divorce lawyer ASAP

[@001dipstick]

37:32 Maybe the real treasure isn’t your suicidal vampire memoir - it’s the friends you made along the way (Louis and Daniel)

[@culturekitsch]

Peepaw Daniel and Louis BFFs 4 EVER

[@Atomic0range]

I really like your analysis of Louis’ use of the word “boy”. It feels like he’s reveling in his power and enjoying a bit of a private joke at Daniel’s expense. It also feels like he’s distancing himself a bit, he’s not saying Daniel’s name, he’s just another in a long string of boys who are there to get used up and eaten. There’s also something really fond and sweet about the way he says it? It’s so interesting, and the contradiction gives me serious serial killer vibes.

[@FinalGirl09]

What's interesting about that is how Louis now refers to him as Daniel and Armand calls him "the boy from San Francisco". There's obviously still a little resentment (possibly a little jealousy) on Armand's end, as if naming him is painful.

[@klowwwww]

It might also be a reference to the IWTV book where Daniel isn't even a named character lol he's just referred to as 'the boy'.

[@Atomic0range]

@@FinalGirl09 totally! And Daniel keeps calling him “your boyfriend”. So much boiling underneath the surface…

[@silvemkes3161]

It's probably not true, but I have been thinking that Daniel is the "band aid" of Loumand that Claudia was for Loustat. Louis begs Armand to not kill Daniel by saying he is the testament to their companionship. Almost like he his promising Armand that as long as Daniel lives, Louis won't leave him. Which is why Louis has basically stalked Daniel his whole career and that Daniel being sick has trigged Louis to repeat the interview.

[@katyak5664]

That makes a TON of sense, now that I'm turning it over in my head!

[@slloyd5124]

Yesssss!!!! I kept going back to why did he want to repeat the interview! 🤔🤔🤔

[@qianahill515]

You're the only reactor I've seen who caught the "boy" thing accurately. Since season one, you'll notice her only ever calls white men "boy". It's definitely because he's a black man from the deep south who white men always called "boy" as a subtle degradation.

[@culturekitsch]

I'm surprised that it's not been pointed out, but it adds so many layers to the performance!

[@NicoleM_radiantbaby]

Yeah, my wife and I were talking about the whole 'boy' thing as well. The writing for this show is so amazing!

[@pinkish410]

Armand saying "rest" is almost the exact same as Santiago saying "no pain" to his victims before killing them. I wonder if that was meant to have the same effect

[@daniellestewart9255]

I think when Louis was saying he hears Claudia calling out to him were memories from that night coming back to him. This can't be the first time Armand has wiped Louis mind.

[@ThandoNdlovu-zr3ld]

Someone said something Brilliant that the reason why Armand won't leave Louis is because he wants to have what Lestat wants. Maybe as a way of trying to inflict control over Lestat or get revenge on Lestat for leaving him. I'm poorly paraphrasing but it's something similar.

[@avant-garde365]

I think he remembers lestat but I also feel like he genuinely loves Louis and they have a dynamic that sometimes works but isn’t better or less chaotic than Louis and lestat. Louis likes the relationship cause he’s more in control! I mean he’s maitre!

[@BG-kn3nt]

Yes it’s more about Lestat than it is about Louis

[@nolasalazar]

This is completely accurate. I don’t understand how people don’t get this, Armand is completely obsessed with Lestat. Lestat hated Armand. I wish people knew more of the truth about Armand because it’s really hard to watch the fanfiction that Armand has created about his relationship with Lestat and what happened to his coven.

[@aidaalimsalah67]

that’s definitely part of it. i don’t think we should discount that but (and that’s just imo) armand does love louis that’s why he doesn’t leave him. w his own limitations w his own fucked up ideas of love but he does. we’re shown in the show how armand doesn’t know who he is outside of always performing a role, whether it’s w theatre or being maitre or w his relationships, he needs structure he doesn’t who he is without that. and that’s what louis and his relationship w louis gives him - a role to fulfill

[@LoLovesLife]

All of Anne's characters can be seen as villains depending on what perspective you're coming from. None of them are virtuous. Armand does have a greater level of strength and control but he's also extremely jealous and controlling. He gives Louis a sense of power with the "maitre/master" dynamic but he holds all of the cards. He's wiped Louis' memory, he had the missing pages from the diary, and he basically dangled Lestat in front of him in a moment of pain to punish him. I love all of the characters! They are multifaceted and scary and so, so well written!

[@cullenarthur8879]

I don't think Armand contacted Lestat for Louis as a way to tease or punish Louis. I think he did it because after hearing Louis go on about Lestat in the interview recording, he realized that Louis may still want Lestat. I think he genuinely did it to help Louis contact Lestat again. He ended up balking when Lestat wanted him to tell Louis he loved him. That was something Armand couldn't do. I agree with a previous comment on this videos comment section that Armand may take away Louis suicide attempts from his memory. These attempts are probably triggered by Claudia. Louis may have even originally asked Armand to do this for him to spare him the pain.

[@LoLovesLife]

@@cullenarthur8879 There's no way for me to read that move from Armand as pure intentioned. Armand could have told Louis where Lestat was and allowed him to seek Lestat out when he was healed. Or, he could have given Lestat the location and allowed him to come to Louis. But, he intentionally contacted Lestat when he was able to remain in the middle manipulating the situation and positioning himself in a sympathetic light. Louis has treated Armand badly, particularly in this phase of their relationship so it's understandable that Armand would be hurt and jealous.

[@cullenarthur8879]

@@LoLovesLife I think Armand wanted to give Louis contact with Lestat, but remain in control over the situation. That doesn't mean he did it to torment Louis. I think he wanted to give Louis the choice of leaving him and going back to Lestat, if that's what he really wanted.

[@LoLovesLife]

@@cullenarthur8879 I think if Armand really wanted Louis to make an honest choice he wouldn't be in the midst of the situation manipulating it. Sure, maybe torture is too strong a word but I do believe Armand was acting out of hurt and fear of losing Louis. But, agree to disagree! It's actually cool that there's so much to dig into and that we have different takeaways.

[@mitchmatt6002]

Emotional, compelling, delicious, dramatic, disturbing and FABULOUS! Can't praise this show, its actors and its crew, enough! Really enjoyed your review!

[@noa_is_unavailable]

'prison of empathy' and 'rest'?! the writers went off in this episode. so much of the dialogue was biting and heartbreaking all at once. and a good fx and vfx team is the backbone of a show like this, this team must be working so hard to get the detail right on the ash of the burning and the rapid eye movement of armand.

[@sailor_suu1954]

This was the most refreshingly nuanced, funny, thorough reaction I've seen covering this series and I've subscribed immediately. I haven't had this much fun with a show since the first season of Sleepy Hollow and that wound will never heal, so I've been cautiously optimistic from jump 🤣

[@culturekitsch]

Thank you so much checking me out and I’m so happy to have you here!

[@LizardsLore]

Hot take: Show Daniel truly and I mean truly loves Louis. Not even necessarily romantically. But he genuinely cares about Louis and his wellbeing in a way that neither Lestat, Claudia nor Armand ever could/would, and may be the ONLY person (“person”) Daniel has ever cared for outside of himself. PS Bobbi I’m so excited to see your KZbin channel!!!

[@aidaalimsalah67]

i think so too! personally i interpret them as more than platonic but i can understand different ways of looking at their relationship. i do think it’s unique and stands out of all the other relationships louis has had in his life and the scene where he tells those encouraging words to daniel rly cements that imo

[@nyashahardley]

Louis reinforced that mantra to him. Daniel already had that in himself. He said it to Armand before Louis gave him that talk.

[@evenstarari]

"Love in vampire lore has a very funny function." Omgg this is so true about how they all interact with each other! Like the love is there but so is everything else. That makes sense about the Lestat and Armand "phone call" 😂 there would be no way for Louis to know even though for the audience it was an awesome effect to actually hear his voice. There were so many highlights in this ep but one of my faves was Daniel reading that passage at the end in his book-it just got me of how influenced his life has been by someone he couldnt really remember until now like that is so poetic. Cant wait for your next review! ❤

[@jasminehinojosa247]

The way that I wanted to RUN to your account bc I needed to hear your thoughts 🏃🏻

[@Buzz0Killington]

The way I’ve been rocking back and forth in a cold dark corner since last night, waiting for this reaction. 😂

[@whatadollslife]

😢 we see now,by these events that if Armand is able to save Louie and spare Daniel ,was able to freeze the movements of his coven ,control fire ect ..that we have to assume he could have helped or not helped Claudia as needed...so no matter I feel Armand is completely self centered and controlling ...you did a great breakdown about all their motives

[@HoundsBane]

Phenomenal analysis & breakdown of this episode ! This one had me tossing & turning after I watched it. They are doing stellar work over at Interview with the Vampire!!

[@dolli818]

As far as "boy", also consider at this point on the show anyway Louis is 100+ yo and Daniel is in his 20s he is a literal "boy" to him. In the books and first film he also calls him boy several times, he is much older in the book though.

[@001dipstick]

I definitely think Armand could have taken steps to control Louis’ memory of Claudia too. Her death will always be the most damning sin of their relationship. I think back to the pages of her diary that he keeps under lock and key. The pages mention her kidnapping and abuse…but Armand also says they mention him. What did she say about him - or about Louis - that might be an existential threat to their companionship? What did she say that could lead Louis to end his life? I don’t think Armand is going to let this book actually get published either, but I’ll have to wait and see.

[@BG-kn3nt]

When he says he can hear her calling him then we hear birds chirping and he runs straight into the sun.

[@001dipstick]

@@BG-kn3nt omg I didn’t notice the birds!!!

[@ThandoNdlovu-zr3ld]

Can someone please explain to me why I still Ship Daniel with the Vampires despite this episode 🤦🤦 "What is wrong with me?"

[@AnxietyRat]

I mean it's because Daniel still ABSOLUTELY wants to fuck the vampires even after everything that went down...so... Daniel is on your side ...well...book Daniel.

[@aidaalimsalah67]

dw i’m right there with u 😭

[@jijgigijiwapo]

Because the only way the vampire polycule (or any of these relationships really) will work is if Daniel is involved. He's the only grown up in the room

[@BG-kn3nt]

I wonder why Armand is comfortable with the present Dubai when he hated it in San Francisco. Louis was even telling a love story instead of trashing him. And Louis seemed to think him and Claudia killed Lestat so his memory of Les in Paris or communicating with him through Armand was wiped from his memory. Also Armand was listening to the San Francisco interview while it was happening and only jumped in to intervene in the morning.

[@yana5944]

I found the 'mantra' scene to be devastating. Daniel obviously wishes he had good relationships with his children, regrets how he treated his ex's. He's a workaholic and suffered through addiction for the rest of his life because Louis and Armand decided his possible utility to them was paramount. He's getting paid for these interviews, but also gets top shelf 'legal dope' for his parkinson's and whatever lingering addiction he has.

[@aleksandercassimiro3128]

Interesting. I understood something different. I understood that Louis actually saved Daniel's life. Without the mantra that Louis has carved out in his head, Daniel would probably spend his life fighting drugs, destroying not only his personal life, but also his work and perhaps dying young. The mantra made it so that despite the sorrows, the problems that life gives you (bad relationships with wife and daughters), he would always have a job. To sum it up, Louis is the reason Daniel got this far.

[@nirvanaqueens]

I love these types of reviews. Thank you. So many people dont have media literacy anymore

[@ThandoNdlovu-zr3ld]

I'm so excited for this I loved this episode I can't wait to hear your thoughts

[@zows4]

found this video randomly and i'm so happy i did! love your takes, will definitely be tuning in for the next episodes :)

[@culturekitsch]

So happy you’re here!

[@user-tb7wr2ov1p]

I do enjoy your catch of the word boy. I still remember episode 1 when Daniel said, "Don't call me, boy. I am an old man and have the mindset of one."

[@MarilynRB]

0:21 Hi Bobbi. I never noticed that the title card changes; your attention to detail is very striking. I'm going to go back and look at the title cards for other episodes to catch that! Thank you for this video.

[@MelaninlikeGold]

Armand: Rest Lestat: Come to me Santiago: no pain

[@kev2020]

Armand keeps taking these moments from Louis but complains about inevitably getting to this point every time. He can't be upset with Louis because Louis has essentially mever gone through the grieving(for Claudia) process. How many times has Louis remembered Claudia's fate only to be erased again?

[@culturekitsch]

You’re so right! He’s stuck in this endless feedback loop of grief.

[@michenry8]

first it's the coven unionizing in ep 3, and now it's danlou... i think mandy's just a bad boss guys

[@culturekitsch]

He’s got terrible Glassdoor reviews. A real HR nightmare.

[@slloyd5124]

Sis, did anybody ever tell you that your voice is very close to Hallease on KZbin? Y'all's voices are so calming and soothing, I could listen to y'all all day.😊

[@shinikaw]

Yesss I have never watched her before but her voice was very reminiscent of something I have watched hallease for years. Very soothing and the review was very insightful

[@THATJACQUELINE]

I love me long-form BOBBI!!

[@culturekitsch]

It took me long enough but I don't think I can ever go back to only short form. I love it here haha

[@jomiasharris357]

Louis and Lestat are end game. Daniel and Armand are end game.

[@alannah0628]

Unrelated but you have a very nice talking voice, it’s super relaxing 😌

[@prinzisu]

Ty so much I felt so alone watching this show n loving it

[@nirvanaqueens]

They missed the emmys deadline? That pisses me off so bad. Oscars maybe. What are other rewards they could win 😭

[@culturekitsch]

There’s the Golden Globes and a few other awards they’re eligible for. Oscars are only for movies 😭

[@prinzisu]

I've loved this story n book the storu since I first read n watched the first movie.. I love the first movie. It seems so much more realistic. For our time. I listen to breakdown n reviews for days u seem to get it like I do. Thank you mon amour

[@prinzisu]

😢

[@cullenarthur8879]

I think Armand was telling Louis the truth when he said that Claudia didn't love him, and Louis knew it. That's one of the reasons why I don't like Claudia. She doesn't love Louis. In fact, she seems to despise him most of the time. Armand loved Louis. Lestat loved Louis. Claudia does not. She looked at him as more of a brother she doesn't even like, but is stuck with.

[@Amber-se7qq]

Personally, I didn't see the "boy" comments in that way. I felt it was more about how Daniel was not just a young naive man but basically a young naive mortal and Louis was more so coming at him as an immortal, someone who has seen and gone through a lot over the decades. I could be wrong but yeah, didn't see it that way but it's an interesting take.

[@venusworship]

This review showed up in my feed, LOVE your takes!!! This episode was incredibly compelling. My jaw was on the floor at those fights 🫢 Can’t wait to see your recaps for the final 3 eps in this season